Not This Time’s distance specialist Next made short work of his rivals in the $150,000 Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga on Sunday, Aug. 4. In winning his sixth consecutive race—all stakes events—Next strolled to a 22 ¼-length victory in this year’s renewal of the 1 ¾-mile marathon.
A repeat winner of the Birdstone, Next stalked the early pace on the outside in the three-path and took command with about 4 ½ furlongs remaining. He shook off a brief challenge from Masqueparade into the final turn and then powered away from the field in the stretch without being asked. He cruised home a dominating winner, stopping the clock in 2:57.83.
Trained by William “Doug” Cowans for owner Michael Foster, Next also dominated his rivals in his previous outing, taking the Brooklyn Stakes (G2) for the second year in a row. He won that 1 3/8-mile event during the Belmont at the Big A Meet by 9 ¼ lengths on July 5.
“As always, he showed up with his ‘A’ game,” shared Cowans of his charge’s Birdstone repeat. “The horse outdoes himself every time and he’s just a nice horse. Fun to be around and I enjoy training him.”
Now a winner in 12 of 22 career starts, Next has amassed $1,228,361 in earnings. His latest win was his eighth in a stakes race. In addition to his back-to-back wins in the Brooklyn, he owns additional graded scores in the 2022 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2) at Keeneland and in last year’s Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx Racing.
“He’s so entertaining and where it’s really fun to be with him is after the racing and getting in the stall with him,” Foster said. “I’ve never had a horse with a personality like his. Everybody’s in love with this horse. Not just because of the way he runs, but because of the way he is. He’s a unique horse.”
Next could make his next start in the 12-furlong Greenwood Cup (G3) on Sept. 21 at Parx. Another possibility is a cutback in distance in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) going 10 furlongs at Saratoga on Sept. 1. That race is a “Win and You’re In” for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November at Del Mar.
In addition to being represented by the leading distance specialist, Not This Time is also the sire of the fastest turf sprinter in Cogburn. In winning the Jaipur Stakes (G1) in his last start, Cogburn covered 5 ½ furlongs on turf in :59.80, a new course and North American record.
